Thiol-ene polymer metal oxide nanoparticle high refractive index composites

ABSTRACT

A bulk polymer composite comprising a thiol-ene polymer matrix, or the corresponding polymers derived from a phosphinyl, selenol, or arsinyl monomer, and metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed within said matrix, said nanoparticles being bonded to polymer molecules contained in the matrix. Terpolymers that further comprise repeat units derived from a molecular metal oxide cluster, and composites in which such terpolymers function as a matrix for metal oxide nanoparticles are also disclosed.

FIELD OF THE INVENTION

The present invention generally relates to a high refractive index material comprising a polymer having a high degree of cross-linking and containing polarizable elements. The present invention further relates to a method for preparing high refractive index, transparent materials.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

Organic polymers are used for many optical applications, the largest being in the area of consumer eyewear. In this application, organic polymers afford a variety of properties including low density and resistance to impacts and scratches. Organic polymers may also be processed into what are referred to as progressive lenses that have a graded refractive index to accommodate both near-sighted and far-sighted corrections. The organic polymers typically used in contemporary eyewear applications are commonly, but not exclusively, composed of polymethracrylates, polycarbonates, or polythiourethanes. The optical parameters of importance in the choice of polymer for this application are the refractive index, Abbe number, and optical clarity. Materials currently in use typically are in the refractive index range (“R.I.”) of 1.65-1.68, though materials with R.I. of 1.70 or above have been synthesized. The Abbe number represents the chromatic dispersion of light, which is the refractive index, measured at specific wavelengths (specifically the Fraunhofer d, f, and c wavelengths). The Abbe number is inversely proportional to the chromatic dispersion. It generally varies between 60, which translates to a very low chromatic dispersion and 30, which is a highly chromatic material. For eyewear applications, the Abbe numbers in the range of 35-40 are acceptable and are typical for the organic polymers used.

For optical applications in general and eyewear in particular, the synthesis of new polymers with refractive indices >1.65 and acceptable Abbe numbers is of considerable importance. Higher refractive index materials will permit smaller, lighter weight lenses to be used and provide a much broader graded index for progressive lenses. The material modification that leads to higher refractive indices is the incorporation of highly polarizable atoms and ions. Incorporating such polarizable groups has been the standard protocol used to develop new high R.I. polymers. The electronic polarizability is a tensor property of an atom or molecule that measures the distortion of the electron cloud in the presence of an applied electric field (which can be an optical field). The more the electron cloud can be distorted, the higher the refractive index. The characteristics of atomic and molecular electronic structure that yield large polarizabilities are well understood and can be predicted from basic chemical principles. In particular, the more electronegative an atom is the less polarizable it will be, hence late first-row elements such as F, O and N tend to yield lower refractive index materials. Better choices are 2^(nd), 3^(rd) or 4^(th) row main group elements such as S (which is currently used in order to increase the refractive index in many polymeric materials), P, and Sn. From a molecular standpoint, the higher electronegativity of the first row can be overcome by delocalization of the electrons across several atoms. Aromatics are more polarizable than saturated hydrocarbons and compounds such as propylene carbonate and dimethylformamide have high dielectric constants.

Stiegman, U.S. Pat. No. 8,470,948, discloses a series of thiol-ene based bulk polymers having high refractive indices and good structural properties.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In various embodiment, the present invention comprises a bulk polymer composite comprising a thiol-ene polymer matrix, or a matrix comprising a corresponding polymer derived from a phosphinyl, selenol, or arsinyl monomer, and metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed within the matrix, said nanoparticles being bonded to polymer molecules contained in the matrix. In certain preferred embodiments, the polymer matrix comprises a matrix corresponding to the structure:

wherein:

M is a main group element, a transition metal element, or an organic moiety;

X is a main group element selected from the group consisting of S, P, Se, As and combinations thereof;

R₁ is, independently of any other R₁ in the polymer, a direct bond between M and the ethylene group depicted between M and X or a hydrocarbyl linking moiety having between 1 and about 9 carbon atoms;

R₂ is a hydrocarbyl moiety having between 1 and about 9 carbon atoms;

R₃ is an organic linking group;

Y has a value of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4;

Z has a value of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4;

YY has a value of 0, 1 or 2; and

Y, YY, and Z are such that the total number of moieties bonded to M is 3, 4, 5, or 6;

and n represents the number of repeat units in the polymer,

and wherein at least 90% of functional groups in the bulk polymer are reacted.

The invention is further directed to a process for the preparation of a bulk polymer composite comprising a thiol-ene polymer matrix or a matrix comprising a corresponding polymer derived from a phosphinyl, selenol, or arsinyl monomer, and nanoparticles dispersed within said matrix. In the novel method, a mixture is formed comprising a first multifunctional monomer comprising vinyl groups, a second multifunctional polymer comprising thiol moieties or moieties comprising phosphinyl, selenol, or arsinyl groups, and nanoparticles comprising a metal oxide or a metal oxide that has been functionalized with a ligand that is reactive with a functional group of the first multifunctional monomer or the second multifunctional monomer. The first multifunctional monomer is reacted with the second multifunctional monomer to form a polymer matrix within which the nanoparticles are dispersed, the metal oxide or ligand on the nanoparticles reacting with functional groups of the first multifunctional monomer, functional groups of the second multifunctional monomer, or functional groups of a polymer produced by reaction of the first monomer and the second monomer.

The invention is further directed to a terpolymer or higher polymer comprising repeat units derived from a first multifunctional monomer having 2 to 4 vinyl groups, a polythiol, preferably a dithiol, or a corresponding phosphinyl, selenol or arsinyl monomer, and a molecular metal oxide cluster.

The invention is further directed to A process for preparing terpolymer or higher polymer comprising reacting a first multifunctional monomer having 2 to 4 vinyl groups, a polythiol, preferably a dithiol, or other corresponding phosphinyl, selenol or arsinyl monomer, and a molecular metal oxide cluster.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 depicts chemical reaction of acrylic acid on the surface of particles.

FIG. 2 depicts fabrication of polymer-nanoparticle composites.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENT(S) OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is generally directed to a high molecular weight bulk polymer composite having high refractive index. In one aspect, the present invention is directed to a high refractive index material comprising a polymer and metal oxide nanoparticles and having a high degree of cross-linking and containing polarizable elements. Another aspect of this invention is directed to a high refractive index material comprising a polymer and functionalized molecular metal oxide cluster compounds having a high degree of cross-linking and containing polarizable elements.

Transition metal oxide nanoparticles are incorporated into the thiol-ene polymers according to this invention to enhance structural and optical properties. These oxide nanoparticles may comprise, for example, titania, hafnia, zirconia, molybdenum oxide tungsten oxide and niobium oxide. The nanoparticles are preferably ≦100 nm in size, typically ˜30 nm. They are preferably functionalized by derivatization reaction with a monomer that comprises a vinyl group and a functional group reactive with said metal oxide and a vinyl group, to generate ligands comprising vinyl groups on the surface. Preferred derivatizing agents include acrylic and methacrylic acid, the carboxylic acid group of which is reactive with metal hydroxides or metal oxides on the particle surface. The vinyl groups of the ligands cross-link into the thiol-ene polymer to form a uniform, hard, transparent material. As bonded via an acrylic, methacrylic or other ligand that comprises a vinyl group, the nanoparticles are dispersed in a thiol-ene polymer matrix and covalently bonded to polymer molecules contained in the matrix.

In other embodiments, molecular metal-oxide cluster compounds are incorporated into the thiol-ene polymers according to this invention to enhance optical properties. Advantageously, the molecular cluster compounds may also contain acrylic or methacrylic ligands. These ligands can cross-link into the thiol-ene polymer to form a uniform, hard, transparent material.

The composite material preferably contains at least about 0.5 wt % of the metal oxide, for example between about 0.5 wt % and about 10 wt %. It is preferred that the composite material contain more than 1 wt %, such as between about 1 wt % and about 10 wt % of the metal oxide nanoparticles and/or metal oxide cluster compounds. Still other embodiments contain at least 3 wt % or at least 5 wt % metal oxide nanoparticles and/or metal oxide cluster compounds. These proportions are on an oxide equivalent basis, as in some instances, of course, the oxide may be, for example, in the methacrylate form or other form.

The incorporation of the metal oxide nanoparticles and/or metal oxide cluster compounds has been shown to increase refractive index in these polymers. For example, incorporation of ZrO₂ into a TVS-EDT polymer according to this invention yields a refractive index of 1.668 in comparison to 1.656 for the TVS-EDT polymer itself. The composite material is therefore at the high end of the refractive index range for optical polymers.

The metal oxide nanoparticles and cluster compounds have a high cross-linking density to the polymer, such that there is a very high number of bonds to the polymer, which further enhances the mechanical properties of the polymer composite in comparison to the polymer alone.

The polymer nanoparticle composite materials exhibit a very low surface energy due to the “lotus leaf effect” brought about by the nanoparticle structures at the surface, and are especially hydrophobic. This is desirable for many optical applications where repulsion of water and debris are important.

The resulting polymer-nanoparticle composites therefore exhibit high refractive index, high strength, high Young's modulus, high rigidity, and high hydrophobicity; all of which are important properties for optical materials.

The present invention further relates to a method for preparing high refractive index transparent materials.

The incorporation of the metal oxide nanoparticles has been shown to increase refractive index in these polymers. For example, incorporation of ZrO₂ into a TVS-EDT polymer according to this invention yields a refractive index of 1.668 in comparison to 1.656 for the TVS-EDT polymer itself. The composite material is therefore at the high end of the refractive index range for optical polymers.

The incorporation of the molecular cluster compounds has been shown to increase refractive index in these polymers. For example, incorporation of Zr₄O₂(Methacrylate)₁₂ into a TVS-BDDT polymer according to this invention yields a refractive index of 1.715 in comparison to 1.687 for the TVS-EDT polymer itself. The composite material is therefore at the high end of the refractive index range for optical polymers.

The structure of the following detailed description is that first the text from the inventor's issued U.S. Pat. No. 8,470,948 is incorporated to describe exemplary high refractive index polymers into which, according to the present invention, transition metal oxide compounds are incorporated. Then, under the headings FABRICATION OF POLYMER/NANOPARTICLE COMPOSITES and FABRICATION OF POLYMER/OXO-ZIRCONIUM CLUSTER COMPOSITES there are descriptions of two embodiments of the current invention. One such embodiment is for nanoparticles, which increase refractive index, mechanical properties and surface energy. A disadvantage to nanoparticles is that they are relatively insoluble in monomer solutions so high loadings cannot be achieved. The second embodiment makes use of metal oxide molecular cluster compounds that comprise functional groups that are reactive with either the vinyl functionality of another multifunctional monomer or the thiol functionality of the dithiol or polythiol monomer. Other comparable polyphosphinyl, polyselenol, or polyarsinyl monomers may also be used. The cluster compounds have the advantage of better and more controlled solubility. The clusters tend to improve refractive index but do not have much effect on the structural or surface properties.

In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a method for preparing a high refractive index material comprising an organic/inorganic hybrid polymer having a high degree of cross-linking and comprising organic and inorganic moieties. In general, an organic/inorganic hybrid polymer comprises repeat units comprising atoms typically found in organic and biochemical molecules, in particular, carbon, hydrogen, sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen in addition to atoms that are transition metal elements or main group elements, for example, Si, Ge, As, Se, Te, and Sb. In some preferred embodiments, the organic/inorganic hybrid polymer having a high degree of cross-linking and comprising organic and inorganic moieties is prepared by thiol-ene addition reactions. Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments, the repeat units of the polymer comprise thiol-ene addition products.

In some embodiments, the present invention is directed to a method for preparing a high refractive index material comprising an organic polymer having a high degree of cross-linking. Transition metal elements and main group elements other than carbon, hydrogen, sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen are generally not present in the organic polymers of the present invention, although their presence is not excluded. By “organic” it is meant that the polymer generally comprises carbon-based repeat units and has characteristics typical of organic polymers. As is known, organic polymers generally comprise H, C, S, N, and O, but may also comprise transition metals and main group elements other than H, C, S, N, and O. Transition metal elements and main group elements other than carbon, hydrogen, sulfur, nitrogen, and oxygen are thus generally not present in the organic polymers of the present invention, although their presence is not excluded. In some preferred embodiments, the organic polymer having a high degree of cross-linking is prepared by thiol-ene addition reactions. Accordingly, in some preferred embodiments, the repeat units of the polymer comprise thiol-ene addition products.

In some preferred embodiments, the repeat units of the polymers of the present invention are established by a thiol-ene addition reaction. Thiol-ene reactions involve the addition of an R—S—H bond across a double or triple bond by either a free radical or ionic mechanism. Thiol-ene reactions covalently bond the monomers into repeat units and are used in the present invention for preparing a high molecular weight polymer having properties useful for preparing lens materials and flexible light guides. In some embodiments, the repeat units of the polymers of the present invention are formed by the reaction of polarizable groups terminated with thiol or vinyl or thiol and vinyl groups to covalently bond through thiol-vinyl addition chemistry into the repeat units of a high polymer. The high molecular weight polymers of the present invention that are derived from the thiol-ene addition reaction are characterized by high refractive indices and high Abbe numbers.

In some embodiments, the highly cross-linked polymer of the present invention is a high refractive index material. Both highly cross-linked, organic/inorganic hybrid polymers and highly cross-linked, organic polymers have been prepared to have high refractive indices. Such materials, when manufactured to have a high degree of hardness, are particularly useful in optical applications, such as lenses. The highly cross-linked polymer of the present invention may be manufactured to a refractive index of at least 1.55, and in some embodiments, the refractive index of the material comprising the cross-linked polymer of the present invention is at least 1.60, such as at least 1.65, at least 1.70, at least 1.75, or even at least 1.80. In some embodiments, a high refractive index of the materials of the present invention is achieved by limiting the proportion of or even excluding electronegative atoms having electronegativities above about 2.65 (Pauling scale), such as oxygen, nitrogen, fluoride, chloride and the like in the cross-linked polymer of the present invention. While some electronegative atoms may be present in a cross-linked polymer and the goal of high refractive index may still be achieved, preferably, electronegative atoms are excluded from the cross-linked polymer of the present invention. In some embodiments, moieties comprising electronegative atoms, such as oxygen and nitrogen, are included in the repeat units of the polymer, and although the refractive index may slightly lower compared to polymers without such atoms, it has been found that the inclusion of these moieties results in polymers having excellent mechanical properties, such as flexibility.

In some embodiments, the highly cross-linked polymer of the present invention has an Abbe number of at least 30, such as at least 32, at least 34, at least 36, or even at least 38. Both cross-linked, organic/inorganic hybrid polymers and cross-linked, organic polymers have been prepared having high Abbe numbers. A particular advantage of the cross-linked polymer of the present invention of the present invention is the achievement of a material that combines a high refractive index with a higher Abbe number than is normally associated with high refractive index materials. The cross-linked polymer of the present invention therefore may be particular useful for fabricating corrective lenses, i.e., eyeglasses.

In one preferred embodiment, the material of the present invention has a refractive index of at least 1.65 combined with an Abbe number of at least 38.

In some embodiments, the highly cross-linked polymer of the present invention has a high degree of microhardness, which also contributes to its usefulness as a lens material, e.g., for corrective lenses. In some embodiments, the cross-linked polymer of the present invention has been manufactured into a flexible material which is important for ophthalmic implants such as interocular lens in which a foldable optic that opens upon insertion minimizes the size of the surgical incision required.

In some embodiments, the highly cross-linked polymer of the present invention has a high degree of flexibility, which is useful for applications where a flexible, high refractive index material is desirable, such as flexible light guides, optoelectron fabrication, optical adhesives, encapsulants for organic Light Emitting Diode (LED) devices, microlens components for charge couple devices (CCD).

The cross-linked polymer of the present invention has the following general structure:

Alternatively:

In some embodiments of structure (I), M is a main group element capable of achieving a coordination number of 3, 4, 5, or 6. In some embodiments of structure (I), M is a transition metal element capable of achieving a coordination number of 3, 4, 5, or 6. Stated another way, in embodiments wherein M is a main group element or a transition metal element, the M moiety can achieve a trivalent coordination sphere, tetravalent coordination sphere, pentavalent coordination sphere, or a hexavalent coordination sphere. In some embodiments of Structure (I), M is an organic moiety bonded to three or more substituents as are depicted in Structure (I), preferably at least four substituents.

In some preferred embodiments, M is the transition metal element and is capable of achieving a coordination number of 3 (trivalent coordination sphere). In some preferred embodiments, M is the transition metal element and is capable of achieving a coordination number of 4 (tetravalent coordination sphere). In embodiments wherein M is a transition metal element, the polymer of the present invention is a highly cross-linked, organic/inorganic hybrid polymer. In some preferred embodiments, the transition metal may be selected from among Mn, Zr, Ti, and Cr.

In some embodiments, M is a main group element capable of achieving a coordination number of 3 (trivalent coordination sphere). In some embodiments, M is a main group element capable of achieving a coordination number of 4 (tetravalent coordination sphere). In embodiments wherein M is a main group element, the polymer of the present invention is a highly cross-linked, organic/inorganic hybrid polymer. Preferably, the main group element capable of forming a trivalent or tetravalent coordination sphere is a second, third, or fourth row main group element having an electronegativity less than 2.65 (Pauling scale). In some preferred embodiments, the main group elements may be selected from among Si, Ge, or Sn.

In some embodiments of structure (I), M is an organic moiety bonded to the substituents shown in Structure (I). In some embodiments wherein M is an organic moiety, the polymer of the present invention is the cross-linked, organic polymer. In some preferred embodiments of structure (I), M is derived from an organic moiety comprising at least two substituents comprising ethylene moieties, e.g., carbon-carbon double bonds having the structure —C═C—, such as vinyl or allyl groups, preferably at least three substituents comprising ethylene moieties.

In structure (I), the coordination number, i.e., the number of substituents bonded thereto, of M is dictated by the values of Y, YY, and Z. Y may have a value of 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. Preferably, Y has a value of 4 such that there are no R₂ groups. In structure (I), Z may have a value of 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. Preferably, Z has a value of 1 or 2. In structure (I), YY may have a value of 0, 1, or 2. Preferably, YY has a value of 0. The values of Y, YY, and Z may be such that the M moiety has bonded thereto 3, 4, 5, or 6 substituent moieties. Preferably, the values of Y, YY, and Z are such that the total number of moieties bonded to M is 3 (e.g., M is a transition metal element or main group element that forms a trivalent coordination sphere or M is an organic moiety having three substituents) or 4 (e.g., M is a transition metal element or main group element that forms a tetravalent coordination sphere or M is an organic moiety having four substituents).

As stated above, preferably, Z has a value of 1 or 2 and YY has a value of 0, such that there are 3 or 4 moieties having the structure R₁—CH₂—CH₂—X bonded to M.

In structure (I), X is a main group element selected from among S, P, As, Se, Te, Sb, and combinations thereof. In some preferred embodiments wherein X is a main group element, X is selected from among S, Se, or Te. In some preferred embodiments wherein X is a main group element, X is sulfur.

In structure (I), the R₁ moiety is, independently of any other R₁ in the polymer, a direct bond between M and the ethylene group depicted between M and X or a hydrocarbyl linking moiety having between 1 and about 9 carbon atoms, such as methylene, ethylene, n-propylene, iso-propylene, n-butylene, iso-butylene, tert-butylene, n-pentylene, isopentylene, neopentylene, hexylenes, heptylenes, octylenes, and nonylenes. In preferred embodiments, each R₁ moiety is identical. In some preferred embodiments, R₁ is a direct bond between M and the ethylene group depicted between R₁ and X. In some preferred embodiments, R₁ is a hydrocarbyl linking moiety having between 1 and 4 carbon atoms, such as methylene, ethylene, n-propylene, iso-propylene, n-butylene, iso-butylene, and tert-butylene. In some preferred embodiments, R₁ is methylene.

In structure (I), R₂ is a hydrocarbyl moiety, e.g., alkyls, alkenyls, alkynyls, aryls, and aralkyls, having between 1 and about 9 carbon atoms. As stated above, in structure (I), Y may have a value of 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. In preferred embodiments, Y is 4, and the R₂ moiety is not present in the polymer generally depicted by Structure (I).

In structure (I), R₃ is an organic linking group that links together X main group elements, the organic linking group may be either a hydrocarbyl, e.g., alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, or aralkyl, or may be any of alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, aryl, or aralkyl further comprising heteroatoms.

In some embodiments, R₃ is an organic linking group that is a hydrocarbyl, such as an alkyl, substituted alkyl, cycloalkyl, substituted cycloalkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, or substituted aryl. Alkyl R₃ linking groups generally have between 1 and about 10 carbon atoms, preferably between 1 and 5 carbon atoms. Exemplary alkyl linking groups include methylene, ethylene, n-propylene, iso-propylene, n-butylene, iso-butylene, tert-butylene, n-pentylene, isopentylene, neopentylene, hexylenes, heptylenes, octylenes, nonylenes, and decylenes. Preferred alkyl linking groups include methylene, ethylene, n-propylene, iso-propylene, n-butylene, iso-butylene, tert-butylene, n-pentylene, isopentylene, and neopentylene. With regard to cycloalkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl linking groups, the number of carbon atoms may be greater, such as between 2 and about 24 carbon atoms, preferably between 2 and about 20 carbon atoms, more preferably between 2 and about 14 carbon atoms. Exemplary cycloalkyl linking groups include cyclopentyl, cyclohexyl, cycloheptyl, cyclooctyl, and the like. Exemplary aryl groups include phenyls, biphenyls, naphthyls, anthracenyls, phenanthrenyls, and the like. The use of alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl linking groups is particularly advantageous since these linking groups incorporate unsaturated bonds into to the cross-linked polymer, which has been found to increase the refractive index of the resultant material. This effect is particularly achieved when the linking group incorporates conjugated double and triple bonds into the resultant material. Linking groups comprising conjugated doubled and triple bonds include alkenyl, alkynyl, or aryl in which the number of conjugated double bonds is at least two, such as between 2 and 16, preferably between 2 and about 10, or preferably between 2 and about 5. A high number of conjugated double bonds and aromatic groups may result in a less rigid polymer and may also result in the material becoming colored, which is disadvantageous for applications such as corrective lenses.

In some embodiments, R₃ is an organic linking group that may be an alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, or substituted aryl further comprising a hetero atom. In some embodiments, the hetero atom is preferably a main group element selected from the group consisting of S, P, As, Se, Ge, Sn, In, Eb, Te.

In some embodiments, R₃ is an organic linking group that may be an alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, or substituted aryl further comprising a hetero atom. In some embodiments, the hetero atom is preferably a transition metal element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe Co, Ni and second and third row transition metals such as, but not exclusively, Ru, Rh, Re, Os, Zr, etc.

In structure (I), YY may have a value of 0, 1, or 2. In embodiments wherein YY has a value of 0, the R₃ organic linking moiety is bonded to two X main group elements. In embodiments wherein YY has a value of 1, the R₃ organic linking moiety is bonded to three X main group elements. In embodiments wherein YY has a value of 2, the R₃ organic linking moiety is bonded to four X main group elements. In preferred embodiments, the value of YY is 0.

In some preferred embodiments, M is bonded to four substituents as shown in Structure (I). In some embodiments, M is a main group element or a transition metal capable of forming a tetravalent coordination sphere. In some embodiments, M is an organic moiety bonded to four substituents. In a preferred embodiment, the value of Y in Structure (I) is 4, and the R₂ moiety is not present in the polymer generally depicted by Structure (I). In a preferred embodiment, the value of Z is 2 in Structure (I). In a preferred embodiment, the R₃ linking moiety is bonded to two X main group elements, i.e., the value of YY is 0. Such a polymer can be generally depicted by the following structure (IIa):

wherein M, R₁, X, and R₃ are as defined in connection with Structure (I).

In some preferred embodiments, the value of Y is 4, the value of Z is 2, R₁ is a direct bond between M and the ethylene group depicted between the M and the X, and the R₃ linking moiety is bonded to two X main group elements, i.e., the value of YY is 0. Such a polymer can be generally depicted by the following structure (IIb):

wherein M, X, and R₃ are as defined in connection with Structure (I). The polymer having structure (IIb) can be depicted alternatively as Structure (XXV) in which M is depicted in the center of the repeat unit:

In some preferred embodiments, the value of Y is 4, the value of Z is 2, R₁ is a methylene linking group, and the R₃ linking moiety is bonded to two X main group elements, i.e., the value of YY is 0. Such a polymer can be generally depicted by the following structure (IIc):

wherein M, X, and R₃ are as defined in connection with Structure (I). The polymer having structure (IIC) can be depicted alternatively as Structure (XXVI) in which M is depicted in the center of the repeat unit:

In some preferred embodiments, M is bonded to three substituents as shown in Structure (I). In some embodiments, M is a main group element or a transition metal capable of forming a trivalent coordination sphere. In some embodiments, M is an organic moiety bonded to three substituents. In a preferred embodiment, the value of Y is 4 (R₂ moiety is not present in the polymer generally depicted by Structure (I)), and the value of Z is 1 in Structure (I). In a preferred embodiment, the R₃ linking moiety is bonded to two X main group elements, i.e., the value of YY is 0. Such a polymer can be generally depicted by the following structure (IIIa):

wherein M, R₁, X, and R₃ are as defined in connection with Structure (I).

In some preferred embodiments, Y is 4 (R₂ moiety is not present in the polymer generally depicted by Structure (I)), Z is 1 in Structure (I), R₁ is a direct bond between M and the ethylene group depicted between the M and the X, and the R₃ linking moiety is bonded to two X main group elements, i.e., the value of YY is 0. Such a polymer can be generally depicted by the following structure (IIIb):

wherein M, X, and R₃ are as defined in connection with Structure (I). The polymer having structure (IIIb) can be depicted alternatively as Structure (XXVII) in which M is depicted in the center of the repeat unit:

In some preferred embodiments, Y is 4 (R₂ moiety is not present in the polymer generally depicted by Structure (I)), Z is 1 in Structure (I), R₁ is a methylene linking group, and the R₃ linking moiety is bonded to two X main group elements, i.e., the value of YY is 0. Such a polymer can be generally depicted by the following structure (IIIc):

wherein M, X, and R₃ are as defined in connection with Structure (I). The polymer having structure (IIIc) can be depicted alternatively as Structure (XXVIII) in which M is depicted in the center of the repeat unit:

In some preferred embodiments, M is Si. The Si atom has a tetravalent coordination sphere. R₁ is a direct bond between M and the ethylene group depicted between the M and the X; X is a sulfur atom; and R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having from two to five carbon atoms, e.g., a linear chain of 2, 3, 4, or 5 —CH₂— moieties. This polymer may be depicted below as Structure (IVa):

In one preferred embodiment, R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having two carbon atoms. In one preferred embodiment, R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having five carbon atoms.

In some preferred embodiments, M is Ge. The Ge atom has a tetravalent coordination sphere. R₁ is a direct bond between M and the ethylene group depicted between the M and the X; X is a sulfur atom; and R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having from two to five carbon atoms, e.g., a linear chain of 2, 3, 4, or 5 —CH₂— moieties. This polymer may be depicted below as Structure (IVb):

In one preferred embodiment, R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having two carbon atoms. In one preferred embodiment, R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having five carbon atoms.

In some preferred embodiments, M is Si. The Si atom has a tetravalent coordination sphere. R₁ is a direct bond between M and the ethylene group depicted between the M and the X; X is a sulfur atom; and R₃ is an aryl group having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl, naphthenyl. This polymer may be depicted below as Structure (IVc):

Preferably, R₃ is an aryl group having 6 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl.

In some preferred embodiments, M is Ge. The Ge atom has a tetravalent coordination sphere. R₁ is a direct bond between M and the ethylene group depicted between the M and the X; X is a sulfur atom; and R₃ is an aryl group having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl, naphthenyl. This polymer may be depicted below as Structure (IVd):

Preferably, R₃ is an aryl group having 6 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl.

In some preferred embodiments, M is Si. The Si atom has a tetravalent coordination sphere. R₁ is a methylene linking moiety; X is a sulfur atom; and R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having from two to five carbon atoms, e.g., a linear chain of 2, 3, 4, or 5 —CH₂— moieties. This polymer may be depicted below as Structure (IVe):

In one preferred embodiment, R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having two carbon atoms. In one preferred embodiment, R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having five carbon atoms.

In some preferred embodiments, M is Ge. The Ge atom has a tetravalent coordination sphere. R₁ is a methylene linking moiety; X is a sulfur atom; and R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having from two to five carbon atoms, e.g., a linear chain of 2, 3, 4, or 5 —CH₂— moieties. This polymer may be depicted below as Structure (IVf):

In one preferred embodiment, R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having two carbon atoms. In one preferred embodiment, R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having five carbon atoms.

In some preferred embodiments, M is Si. The Si atom has a tetravalent coordination sphere. R₁ is a methylene linking moiety; X is a sulfur atom; and R₃ is an aryl group having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl, naphthenyl. This polymer may be depicted below as Structure (IVg):

Preferably, R₃ is an aryl group having 6 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl.

In some preferred embodiments, M is Ge. The Ge atom has a tetravalent coordination sphere. R₁ is a methylene linking moiety; X is a sulfur atom; and R₃ is an aryl group having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl, naphthenyl. This polymer may be depicted below as Structure (IVh):

Preferably, R₃ is an aryl group having 6 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl.

In some embodiments, M is an organic moiety comprising three substituent groups; R₁ is a direct bond between M and the ethylene group depicted between the M and the X; X is a sulfur atom; and R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having from two to five carbon atoms, e.g., a linear chain of 2, 3, 4, or 5 —CH₂— moieties. This polymer may be depicted below as Structure (IVi):

In one preferred embodiment, R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having two carbon atoms. In one preferred embodiment, R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having five carbon atoms.

In some preferred embodiments, the polymer has the following structure (IVj):

wherein the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ may be carbon atoms or they may be heteroatoms selected from among main group elements or transition metal elements, e.g., N, O, S, Se, Sb, P, Ge, Sn, Te, Ga, In, Ni, Co, Ti, Zr, and W. In some embodiments at least three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms, and the remaining three or fewer of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ may be a heteroatom, such as N or S. In some preferred embodiments, three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms and the remaining three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are nitrogen atoms. In some preferred embodiments, three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms and the remaining three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are sulfur atoms. Each R may be hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a heteroatom, such as O, N, or S.

In some preferred embodiments, M is an organic moiety comprising three substituent groups; R₁ is a methylene linking moiety; X is a sulfur atom; and R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having from two to five carbon atoms, e.g., a linear chain of 2, 3, 4, or 5 —CH₂— moieties. This polymer may be depicted below as Structure (IVk):

In one preferred embodiment, R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having two carbon atoms. In one preferred embodiment, R₃ is a hydrocarbyl having five carbon atoms.

In a preferred embodiment, the polymer has the following structure (IV1):

wherein the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ may be carbon atoms or they may be heteroatoms selected from among main group elements or transition metal elements, e.g., N, O, S, Se, Sb, P, Ge, Sn, Te, Ga, In, Ni, Co, Ti, Zr, and W. In some embodiments at least three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms, and the remaining three or fewer of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ may be a heteroatom, such as N or S. In some preferred embodiments, three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms and the remaining three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are nitrogen atoms. In some preferred embodiments, three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms and the remaining three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are sulfur atoms. Each R may be hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a heteroatom, such as O, N, or S.

In some embodiments, M is an organic moiety comprising three substituent groups; R₁ is a direct bond between M and the ethylene group depicted between the M and the X; X is a sulfur atom; and R₃ is an aryl group having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl, naphthenyl. This polymer may be depicted below as Structure (IVm):

Preferably, R₃ is an aryl group having 6 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl.

In a preferred embodiment, the polymer has the following structure (IVn):

wherein the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ may be carbon atoms or they may be heteroatoms selected from among main group elements or transition metal elements, e.g., N, O, S, Se, Sb, P, Ge, Sn, Te, Ga, In, Ni, Co, Ti, Zr, and W. In some embodiments at least three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms, and the remaining three or fewer of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ may be a heteroatom, such as N or S. In some preferred embodiments, three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms and the remaining three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are nitrogen atoms. In some preferred embodiments, three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms and the remaining three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are sulfur atoms. Each R may be hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a heteroatom, such as O, N, or S.

In some embodiments, M is an organic moiety comprising three substituent groups; R₁ is a methylene linking moiety; X is a sulfur atom; and R₃ is an aryl group having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl, naphthenyl. This polymer may be depicted below as Structure (IVo):

Preferably, R₃ is an aryl group having 6 carbon atoms, e.g., phenyl.

In a preferred embodiment, the polymer has the following structure (IVp):

wherein the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ may be carbon atoms or they may be heteroatoms selected from among main group elements or transition metal elements, e.g., N, O, S, Se, Sb, P, Ge, Sn, Te, Ga, In, Ni, Co, Ti, Zr, and W. In some embodiments at least three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms, and the remaining three or fewer of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ may be a heteroatom, such as N or S. In some preferred embodiments, three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms and the remaining three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are nitrogen atoms. In some preferred embodiments, three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms and the remaining three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are sulfur atoms. Each R may be hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a heteroatom, such as O, N, or S.

In one preferred embodiment, M is derived from 1,3,5-Triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione; R₁ is a methylene linking moiety; X is a sulfur atom; and R₃ is an aryl group having from 6 carbon atoms. This polymer may be depicted below as Structure (IVq):

The cross-linked polymers that may be depicted by general structures (I) through (IVq) are obtained by the reaction between a first multifunctional monomer comprising alkenyl groups, e.g., vinyl groups or allyl groups, and a second multifunctional monomer comprising moieties that are reactive with alkenyl groups. The reaction between a multifunctional monomer comprising alkenyl and a multifunctional monomer comprising moieties that are reactive with alkenyl yields a large degree of cross-linking in the resultant, which may impart excellent mechanical properties, such as hardness, fracture resistance, and scratch resistance.

The first multifunctional monomer comprises alkenyl moieties, e.g., vinyl groups or allyl groups. The first multifunctional monomer has the general structure (V):

In some embodiments, M is a main group element or a transition metal, the main group element or transition metal element being capable of achieving a coordination number of 3, 4, 5, or 6. At least two substituent moieties in the coordination sphere comprise alkenyl groups. In Structure (V), M is a moiety bonded to at least two alkenyl groups, e.g., vinyl groups, allyl groups, and the like, such as between two and six alkenyl groups. In preferred embodiments, M is bonded to three or four substituents comprising alkenyl groups, e.g., three or four vinyl groups or three or four allyl groups.

In some embodiments, in Structure (V), M is a main group element capable of achieving a coordination number of 3 (forming a trivalent coordination sphere). In some embodiments, M is a main group element capable of achieving a coordination number of 4 (forming a tetravalent coordination sphere). The main group element capable of forming a trivalent or tetravalent coordination sphere is a second, third, or fourth row main group element having an electronegativity less than 2.65 (Pauling scale). In some preferred embodiments, the main group elements may be selected from among Si, Ge, or Sn.

In some embodiments, in Structure (V), M is a transition metal element capable of achieving a coordination number of 3 (forming a trivalent coordination sphere). In some embodiments, M is a transition metal element capable of achieving a coordination number of 4 (forming a tetravalent coordination sphere). In some preferred embodiments, the transition metal may be selected from among Mn, Zr, Ti, and Cr.

In some embodiments, M is an organic moiety comprising at least two alkenyl groups, such as two alkenyl, three alkenyl, four alkenyl, five alkenyl, six alkenyl, and preferably three or four alkenyl groups. Herein, organic moiety generally refers to a moiety comprising elements commonly found in biological compounds, such as C, H, O, N, S, and P. In preferred embodiments, the moiety comprises only C, H, O, N, S, or P. However, some moieties that are considered “organic” can additionally comprise additional heteroatoms, such as Se, Sb, P, Ge, Sn, Te, Ga, In, Ni, Co, Ti, Zr, and W. The nomenclature “organic” is used herein to differentiate these types of carbon-based M moieties compared to the M moieties comprising main group elements and transition metal elements. M can be an alkyl, which may be linear, branched or cyclic, having bonded thereto the at least two alkenyl groups. M can be an aromatic group, having bonded thereto the at least two alkenyl groups. The organic moiety may contain one or more heteroatoms selected from the main group of elements including but not exclusively N, O, S, Se, Sb, P, Ge, Sn, Te, Ga, and In. The organic moiety may contain one or more transition element atoms selected from among, but not limited to, Ni, Co, Ti, Zr, and W.

In some embodiments, the organic moiety has the basic ring structure shown below, in which at least two alkenyl groups are bonded thereto. The N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ may be carbon atoms or they may be heteroatoms selected from among main group elements or transition metal elements, e.g., N, O, S, Se, Sb, P, Ge, Sn, Te, Ga, In, Ni, Co, Ti, Zr, and W. The alkenyl containing moiety may be bonded to a carbon atom on the ring structure of to any of the N₁, N₂, and N₃. The ring structures may be aromatic or non-aromatic.

In some embodiments at least three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms, and the remaining three or fewer of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ may be a heteroatom, such as N or S. In some preferred embodiments, three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms and the remaining three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are nitrogen atoms. In some preferred embodiments, three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms and the remaining three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are sulfur atoms. In some preferred embodiments, the organic moiety having any of the above ring structures has one of the following structures:

In some embodiments, the organic moiety can be aromatic any may comprise five- and six-member rings, which may be fused or unfused and having bonded thereto substituents comprising the at least two alkenyl groups. Exemplary such aromatic groups include benzene, naphthalene, cyclopentadiene, anthracene, phenanthrene, and 1H-indene. These rings themselves may contain heteroatoms in place of carbon at one or more apexes, the heteroatoms selected from among the main group and transition metals, e.g., N, O, S, Se, Sb, P, Ge, Sn, Te, Ga, In, Ni, Co, Ti, Zr, and W.

In Structure (V), Y and Z are values that dictate the number of ligands that form a coordination sphere around the central M main group element or transition metal or the number of substituents covalently bonded to the organic M moiety. In Structure (V), Y may be 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4. In Structure (V), Z may be 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4. The values of Y and Z define the number of alkenyl moieties bonded to M. For example, when M is a transition metal or main group element, the values of Y and Z may be such that the total number of moieties bonded to M is 3 (i.e., M forms a trivalent coordination sphere) or 4 (i.e., M forms a tetravalent coordination sphere).

Z may be 0, 1, 2, 3 or 4 such that the first multifunctional monomer comprising alkenyl, e.g., vinyl or allyl, may comprise 2, 3, 4, 5 or 6 alkenyl functional groups. In preferred embodiments, Z is 1 or 2. The alkenyl groups, e.g., vinyl or allyl groups, may be directly bonded to the main group element, the transition metal, or the organic moiety or they may be linked to the main group element or the transition metal via hydrocarbyl having from 1 to about 9 carbons, such as alkyl groups (methylene, ethylene, n-propylene, isopropylene, n-butylene, sec-butylene, isobutylene, tert-butylene, pentylene, neopentylene, hexylenes, heptylenes, octylene, nonylene) or aryl groups (phenyl, benzyl, xylyl, mesityl).

Y may be 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4 such that the first multifunctional monomer may comprise 4, 3, 2, 1 or 0 non-functional moieties, i.e., hydrocarbyl having from 1 to about 9 carbons, such as alkyl groups (methyl, ethyl, n-propyl, isopropyl, n-butyl, sec-butyl, isobutyl, tert-butyl, pentyl, neopentyl, hexyl, heptyl, octyl, nonyl) or aryl groups (phenyl, benzyl, xylyl, mesityl). In the context of the present invention, non-functional moieties such as alkyl groups and aryl groups are non-reactive with the second multifunctional monomer. In preferred embodiments, Y is 4.

In some preferred embodiments, the values of Y and Z are such that the first multifunctional monomer comprising alkenyl, e.g., vinyl or allyl, comprises 3 or 4 ligands or covalently bonded moieties. Combinations within the scope of the present invention include, but are not limited to, four ligands or covalently bonded moieties all of which comprise alkenyl, e.g., four vinyl or allyl moieties; three ligands or covalently bonded moieties comprising alkenyl, e.g., three vinyl or allyl moieties and 0 or 1 moiety not comprising alkenyl; and two ligands or covalently bonded moieties comprising alkenyl, e.g., two vinyl or allyl moieties, and 0, 1, or 2 moieties not comprising alkenyl. The non-functional moieties and linking moieties may be substituted, but are preferably not substituted.

In Structure (V), R₁ is, independently of any other R₁ in the multifunctional monomer, a direct bond between M and the alkenyl group, e.g., a vinyl group, or a hydrocarbyl linking moiety having between 1 and 9 carbon atoms, e.g., an allyl group. Generally, the two, three, four, five, or six R₁ groups are the same. In some preferred embodiments, each R₁ group is a direct bond between M and the alkenyl group, such that the alkenyl group is a vinyl group. In some embodiments, each R₁ group is a hydrocarbyl linking moiety having between 1 and 4 carbon atoms, such as methylene, ethylene, n-propylene, iso-propylene, n-butylene, iso-butylene, and tert-butylene. In some preferred embodiments, R₁ is methylene, such that the alkenyl group is an allyl group.

In Structure (V), R₂ is, independently of any other R₂ in the multifunctional monomer, a hydrocarbyl moiety having between 1 and about 9 carbon atoms. In general, if two R₂ groups are present in the multifunctional monomer whose structure is generally depicted as structure (II), they are the same. Preferably, the multifunctional monomer whose structure is generally depicted as structure (II) does not comprise any R₂ groups.

In some preferred embodiments, the value of Y is 4, and the value of Z is 2 in Structure (V). That is, the first multifunctional monomer comprising alkenyl, e.g., vinyl or allyl groups, having the general structure (V) comprises no R₂ groups and comprises 4 ligands or covalently bonded moieties comprising alkenyl, e.g., vinyl or allyl groups. Such a first multifunctional monomer has the following general structure (VIa):

wherein M and R₁ are as defined above in connection with Structure (V).

In some preferred embodiments, the value of Y is 4, and the value of Z is 1 in Structure (V). That is, the first multifunctional monomer comprising alkenyl moieties, e.g., vinyl groups, allyl groups and the like having the general structure (V) comprises no R₂ groups and comprises three ligands or covalently bonded moieties comprising alkenyl groups, e.g., vinyl or allyl. Such a first multifunctional monomer has the following general structure (VIb):

wherein M and R₁ are as defined above in connection with Structure (V).

In some preferred embodiments, the first multifunctional monomer of Structure (VIb) comprises an organic moiety and has the following general structure (VIc):

wherein R₁ are as defined above in connection with Structure (V), the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ may be carbon atoms or they may be heteroatoms selected from among main group elements or transition metal elements, e.g., N, O, S, Se, Sb, P, Ge, Sn, Te, Ga, In, Ni, Co, Ti, Zr, and W. In some embodiments at least three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms, and the remaining three or fewer of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ may be a heteroatom, such as N or S. In some preferred embodiments, three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms and the remaining three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are nitrogen atoms. In some preferred embodiments, three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are carbon atoms and the remaining three of the N₁, N₂, N₃, N₄, N₅, and N₆ are sulfur atoms. Each R may be hydrogen, a hydrocarbyl having from 1 to 3 carbon atoms or a heteroatom, such as O, N, or S.

In preferred embodiments, the non-functional moieties and linking moieties are not substituted with any moiety comprising an atom having an electronegativity greater than 2.65 (Pauling scale) such as oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine, chlorine, and the like, although such atoms are not excluded from the first multifunctional monomer.

In some embodiments, the value of Y is 4, R₁ is a direct bond between M and a vinyl group, and the value of Z is 2 in the first multifunctional monomer of general structure (V). Such a monomer has the general structure (VII):

wherein M is defined above in connection with Structure (V).

In some embodiments, the value of Y is 4, R₁ is a direct bond between M and a vinyl group, and the value of Z is 1 in the first multifunctional monomer of general structure (V). Such a monomer has the general structure (VIII):

wherein M is defined above in connection with Structure (V).

In some embodiments, the value of Y is 3, R₁ is a direct bond between M and a vinyl group, and the value of Z is 1 in the first multifunctional monomer of general structure (V). Such a monomer has the general structure (IX):

wherein M and R₂ are defined above in connection with Structure (V).

In some embodiments, the value of Y is 2, R₁ is a direct bond between M and the vinyl group, and the value of Z is 0 in the first multifunctional monomer of general structure (V). Such a monomer has the general structure (X):

wherein M and R₂ are defined above in connection with Structure (V).

In a preferred embodiment, the first multifunctional monomer is that of general structure (VII), and M is Si. Herein, the first multifunctional monomer comprises four vinyl groups directly bonded to Si. This first multifunctional monomer, tetravinylsilane, has the following structure (XI):

In a preferred embodiment, the first multifunctional monomer is that of general structure (VII), and M is Ge. Herein, the first multifunctional monomer comprises four vinyl groups directly bonded to Ge. This first multifunctional monomer, tetravinylgermane, has the following structure (XII):

In some preferred embodiments, M may be the cyclic structure of triethenyl. For example, in a preferred embodiment, the first multifunctional monomer is that of general structure (VIII), and M is 1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trione. The vinyl groups are bonded to each nitrogen atom. This first multifunctional monomer, 1,3,5-trivinyl-1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trione, has the following structure (XIII):

In another embodiment wherein M is the cyclic structure of triethenyl, the multifunctional monomer is 2,4,6-trivinyl-1,3,5-trithiane, having the following structure (XIV):

In some embodiments, the value of Y is 4, R₁ is a methylene linking group between M and the vinyl group (i.e., is an allyl moiety), and the value of Z is 2 in the first multifunctional monomer comprising vinyl of general structure (V). Such a monomer has the general structure (XV):

wherein M is defined above in connection with Structure (V).

In some embodiments, the value of Y is 4, R₁ is a methylene linking group between M and the vinyl group (i.e., is an allyl moiety), and the value of Z is 1 in the first multifunctional monomer comprising vinyl of general structure (V). Such a monomer has the general structure (XVI):

wherein M is defined above in connection with Structure (V).

In some embodiments, the value of Y is 3, R₁ is a methylene linking group between M and the vinyl group (i.e., is an allyl moiety), and the value of Z is 1 in the first multifunctional monomer comprising vinyl of general structure (V). Such a monomer has the general structure (XVII):

wherein M and R₂ are defined above in connection with Structure (V).

In some embodiments, the value of Y is 2, R₁ is a methylene linking group between M and the vinyl group (i.e., is an allyl moiety), and the value of Z is 0 in the first multifunctional monomer comprising vinyl of general structure (V). Such a monomer has the general structure (XVIII):

wherein M and R₂ are defined above in connection with Structure (V).

In a preferred embodiment, the first multifunctional monomer comprising vinyl is that of general structure (XV), and M is Si. Herein, the first multifunctional monomer comprising vinyl comprises four vinyl groups bonded to Si via a linking methylene group, i.e., is an allyl moiety. This first multifunctional monomer, tetraallylsilane, has the following structure (XIX):

In a preferred embodiment, the first multifunctional monomer comprising vinyl is that of general structure (XV), and M is Ge. Herein, the first multifunctional monomer comprising vinyl comprises four vinyl groups bonded to Ge via a linking methylene group, i.e., is an allyl moiety. This first multifunctional monomer, tetraallylgermane, has the following structure (XX):

In a preferred embodiment, the first multifunctional monomer is that of general structure (VIII), and M is 1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trione. Herein, the first multifunctional monomer comprises four vinyl groups bonded to 1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trione via a linking methylene group, i.e., is an allyl moiety. This first multifunctional monomer, 1,3,5-triallyl-1,3,5-triazinane-2,4,6-trione, has the following structure (XXI):

In another embodiment wherein M is the cyclic structure of triethenyl and further comprising a methylene linking moiety, the multifunctional monomer is 2,4,6-triallyl-1,3,5-trithiane, having the following structure (XXII):

The second multifunctional monomer comprises moieties that are reactive with vinyl. In order to achieve a high degree of cross-linking, the second multifunctional monomer comprises at least two moieties that are reactive with alkenyl such as two, three, four or more reactive moieties. Reactive moieties include any element whose functional group —XH undergoes a cross-linking reaction with vinyl. In general, the second multifunctional monomer comprising multiple reactive moieties links the reactive moieties through a hydrocarbyl linking group, e.g., alkyl, alkenyl, alkynyl, or aryl that may or may not be substituted, e.g., with a heteroatom. Preferably, the second multifunctional monomer is such that atoms having an electronegativity greater than 2.65 (Pauling scale) such as oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine, chlorine, and the like is limited. Even more preferably, atoms having an electronegativity greater than 2.65 (Pauling scale) such as oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine, chlorine, and the like are excluded from the second multifunctional monomer.

In some embodiments, a second multifunctional monomer comprising moieties reactive with vinyl groups may have the general structure (XXIII):

R₃—((XH)_(2+YY)   Structure (XXIII)

In Structure (XXIII), X is an element whose functional group —XH is reactive with vinyl groups. X may be a main group element selected from among S, P, As, Se, Te, and Sb. In some preferred embodiments, X is selected from among S, Se, or Te. In some preferred embodiments, X is S, and the polymer of the present invention is prepared by thiol-ene coupling.

In Structure (XXIII), YY is an integer having a value of 0, 1, or 2. The equation 2+YY defines the number of —XH reactive moieties bonded to the R₃ organic linking groups. In some preferred embodiments, YY is 0, such that the second multifunctional monomer comprises two —XH reactive moieties.

In Structure (XXIII), R₃ is an organic linking group that links the —XH reactive groups. R₃ may be alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, or substituted aryl. Alkyl R₃ linking groups generally have between 1 and about 10 carbon atoms, preferably between 1 and 5 carbon atoms. With regard to alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl linking groups, the number of carbon atoms may be greater, such as between 2 and about 24 carbon atoms, preferably between 2 and about 20 carbon atoms, more preferably between 2 and about 12 carbon atoms. The use of alkenyl, alkynyl, and aryl linking groups is particularly advantageous since these linking groups incorporate unsaturated bonds into to the cross-linked polymer, which has been found to increase the refractive index of the resultant material. This effect is particularly achieved when the linking group incorporates conjugated double and triple bonds into the resultant material. Linking groups comprising conjugated doubled and triple bonds include alkenyl, alkynyl, or aryl in which the number of conjugated double bonds is between 2 and about 10, preferably between 2 and about 5. A high number of conjugated double bonds and aromatic groups may result in a less rigid polymer and may also result in the material becoming colored, which is disadvantageous for applications such as corrective lenses.

In some embodiments, R₃ is an organic linking group that may be an alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, or substituted aryl further comprising a hetero atom, preferably a main group element selected from the group consisting of S, P, As, Se, Ge, Sn, In, Sb, Te.

In some embodiments, R3 is an organic linking group that may be an alkyl, substituted alkyl, alkenyl, substituted alkenyl, alkynyl, substituted alkynyl, aryl, or substituted aryl further comprising a hetero atom, preferably a transition metal element selected from the group consisting of Mn, Fe Co, Ni and second and third row transition metals such as, but not exclusively, Ru, Rh, Re, Os, Zr etc.

The structures of several R₃ groups containing no heteroatoms are as follows:

The R₃ group may include heteroatoms of main group elements and transition metal elements. Inclusion of such heteroatoms in the R₃ group that may further enhance the refractive index.

Representative examples of R₃ linking groups containing heteroatoms are shown below include two coordinate structures where M′ are main group elements, typically, but not exclusively S, Se, Te. The structures can be linear or ring structures, saturated or unsaturated, containing one or more of the elements M′, where M′ may be all the same element or a mixture of elements. Exemplary such R₃ groups containing M′ heteroatoms may have the general structure shown below:

R₃ can contain three coordinate structures with M″ being from the main group, primarily but not exclusively P, As, Sb, Bi. Exemplary such R₃ groups containing M″ heteroatoms are shown below:

R₃ can contain four-coordinate structures where M′″ is a main group element including, but not limited to Si, Ge, Sn or transition metals such as, but not limited to Co, Ni, Fe. Exemplary such R₃ groups containing M′″ heteroatoms are shown below:

R₃ can contain 6 coordinate structures where M″″ can be a transition metal including but not limited to Mo, Ru, Fe, or Re. Exemplary such R₃ groups containing M″″ heteroatoms are shown below:

In each of the general R₃ linking groups structures, n is between 1 and about 10. In each of the above exemplary R₃ linking groups structures, the R groups are hydrocarbyl substituents having from 1 to about 8 carbon atoms, preferably 1 to 3 carbon atoms, or hydrogen.

Each of the R₃ linking groups may be substituted with moieties comprising heteroatoms. Preferably, any such substituents have a limited proportion of atoms having an electronegativity greater than 2.65 (Pauling scale) such as oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine, chlorine, and the like. Even more preferably, the substituents lack atoms having an electronegativity greater than 2.65 (Pauling scale) such as oxygen, nitrogen, fluorine, chlorine, and the like.

In one preferred embodiment, the second multifunctional monomer comprising moieties reactive with vinyl groups is difunctional, i.e., YY is 0 and the second multifunction monomer comprises two moieties reactive with vinyl groups. A difunctional monomer comprising two reactive moieties may have the general structure (XXIV):

HX—R₃—XH   Structure (XXIV)

In structure (XXIV), R₃ and X are as defined above in connection with general structure (XXIII).

Exemplary second multifunctional monomers in which X is sulfur atom, include, for example, ethane-1,2-dithiol; propane-1,2-dithiol; propane-1,3-dithiol; butane-1,2-dithiol; butane-1,3-dithiol; butane-2,3-dithiol; butane-1,4-dithiol; pentane-1,3-dithiol, pentane-1,4-dithiol, pentane-1,5-dithiol, pentane-2,3-dithiol, and pentane-2,4-dithiol; hexane-1,6-dithiol and other hexanedithiols; heptane-1,7-dithiol and other heptanedithiols; octane-1,8-dithiol and other octanedithiols; 2,2′-oxydiethanethiol; 3,6-dioxa-1,8-octanedithiol; ethylene glycol bisthiol-glycolate; dl-1,4-dithiothreitol; 2,2′-thiodiethanethiol; bis(2-mercaptoethyl)sulphone; 2,5-dimercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazole; 5-({2-[(5-mercapto-1,3,4-thiadiazol-2-yl)thio]ethyl}thio)-1,3,4-thiadiazole-2-thiol; pentaerythritol tetra(2-mercaptoacetate); trimethylolpropane tris(3-mercaptopropionate); trimethylolpropane tris(2-mercaptoacetate); benzene-1,2-dithiol; benzene-1,3-dithiol; benzene-1,4-dithiol; 3,4-dimercaptotoluene; 1,4-benzenedimethanethiol; 1,3-benzenedimethanethiol; 1,6-di(methanethiol)-3,4-dimethyl-phenyl; [3-(mercaptomethyl)-2,4,6-trimethylphenyl]methanethiol; 1,5-dimercaptonaphthalene; 3,3′-thiobis[2-[(2-mercaptoethyl)thio]-1-propanethiol; 5-[3-(5-mercapto-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-yl)propyl]-1,3,4-oxadiazole-2-thiol; 1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H, 3H,5H)-trithione; and 2,3-bis[(2-mercaptoethyl)thio]-1-propanethiol.

In one preferred embodiment, X is S, and R₃ is an ethyl group, and the multifunctional monomer comprising moieties reactive with vinyl groups is a difunctional molecule. Such a monomer is ethane-1,2-dithiol.

In one preferred embodiment, X is S, and R₃ is a pentyl group, and the multifunctional monomer comprising moieties reactive with vinyl groups is a difunctional molecule. Such monomers include pentane-1,3-dithiol, pentane-1,4-dithiol, pentane-1,5-dithiol, pentane-2,3-dithiol, and pentane-2,4-dithiol. A preferred monomer is pentane-1,5-dithiol.

In one preferred embodiment, X is S, and R₃ is a phenyl group, and the monomer is a difunctional monomer. Such monomers include benzene-1,2-dithiol, benzene-1,3-dithiol, and benzene-1,4-dithiol. A preferred monomer is benzene-1,3-dithiol.

The present invention is additionally directed to a method of forming a high refractive index material comprising a polymer having a high degree of cross-linking and containing polarizable elements.

In some embodiments, the method of the present invention comprises contacting the first multifunctional monomer comprising vinyl groups having general structure (V):

wherein M, Y, Z, R₁, and R₂ are as defined above in connection with Structure (V);

with a second multifunctional monomer comprising groups that are reactive with vinyl groups having general structure (XXIII):

R₃—(XH)_(2+YY)   Structure (XXIII)

wherein X, R₃, and YY are as defined above in connection with Structure (XXIII);

to yield a cross-linked polymer having general structure (I):

wherein M, X, R₁, R₂, R₃, Y, Z, and YY are as defined above in connection with Structures (I), (V), and (XXIII).

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of forming a high refractive index material comprising a polymer having a high degree of cross-linking and comprising polarizable elements, which comprises reacting the first multifunctional monomer comprising vinyl groups having general structure (VIa):

wherein M and R₁ are as defined above in connection with Structure (V);

with a second multifunctional monomer comprising groups that are reactive with vinyl groups having general structure (XXIV):

HX—R₃—XH   Structure (XXIV)

wherein X and, R₃ are as defined above in connection with Structure (XXIII); to yield the cross-linked inorganic/organic hybrid polymer having general structure (IIa):

wherein M, X, R₁, and R₃ are as defined above in connection with Structures (I), (V), and (XXIII).

In one embodiment, the present invention is directed to a method of forming a high refractive index material comprising a polymer having a high degree of cross-linking and comprising polarizable elements, which comprises reacting the first multifunctional monomer comprising vinyl groups having general structure (VIb):

wherein M and R₁ are as defined above in connection with Structure (V);

with a second multifunctional monomer comprising groups that are reactive with vinyl groups having general structure (XXIV):

HX—R₃—XH   Structure (XXIV)

wherein X and, R₃ are as defined above in connection with Structure (XXIII);

to yield the cross-linked inorganic/organic hybrid polymer having general structure (IIIa):

wherein M, X, R₁, and R₃ are as defined above in connection with Structures (I), (V), and (XXIII).

In a preferred embodiment, the first multifunctional monomer of structure (VII) is reacted with the second multifunctional monomer comprising two vinyl-reactive groups reactive of structure (XXIV) according to reaction (A) below, which yields a highly cross-linked polymer having general structure (XXV) as shown:

wherein M, X, and R₃ are as defined in Structures (V) and (XXIV).

In one preferred embodiment, tetravinylsilane is reacted with ethane-1,2-dithiol to form the highly crosslinked polymer as shown in reaction (B):

In a preferred embodiment, the first multifunctional monomer of structure (XV) is reacted with the second multifunctional monomer comprising two vinyl-reactive groups reactive of structure (XXIV) according to reaction (C) below, which yields a highly cross-linked polymer having general structure (XXVI) as shown:

wherein M, X, and R₃ are as defined in Structures (V) and (XXIV).

In a preferred embodiment, the first multifunctional monomer of structure (VIII) is reacted with the second multifunctional monomer comprising two vinyl-reactive groups reactive of structure (XXIV) according to reaction (D) below, which yields a highly cross-linked polymer having general structure (XXVII) as shown:

wherein M, X, and R₃ are as defined in Structures (V) and (XXIV).

In a preferred embodiment, the first multifunctional monomer of structure (XVII) is reacted with the second multifunctional monomer comprising two vinyl-reactive groups reactive of structure (XXIV) according to reaction (E) below, which yields a highly cross-linked polymer having general structure (XXXVIII) as shown:

wherein M, X, and R₃ are as defined in Structures (V) and (XXIV).

In one preferred embodiment, 1,3,5-Triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione is reacted with benzene-1,3-dithiol to form the highly crosslinked polymer having structure (IVq) as shown in reaction (F):

Other preferred reactants and polymers of the present invention are shown in the below examples.

The reaction mixture may be prepared by combining the first multifunctional monomer comprising alkenyl groups with the second multifunctional monomer comprising moieties that are reactive with alkenyl groups. In general, solvent is not necessary since the second monomer is generally a liquid at room temperature. In some embodiments, the relative concentrations of the first and second monomers are such that the functional groups are present in substantially equal molar amounts. For example, a reaction mixture comprising a first multifunctional monomer comprising four vinyl groups and a second multifunctional monomer comprising two functional groups that react with vinyl preferably contains a molar ratio of the second multifunctional monomer to the first multifunctional monomer of approximately 2:1, so that the molar ratio of the functional groups are stoichiometrically balanced. In general, an excess of the second multifunctional monomer is acceptable to ensure complete reaction of the vinyl groups. Non-reacted alkenyl groups are generally undesirable since such alkenyl groups may cause the cross-linked polymer to yellow over time.

In some embodiments, the reaction forms a prepolymer gel by contacting the reactants at room temperature. In some embodiments, the gel is cured by transferring the gel to a mold of desired dimension and then cured in an oven between about 120° C. and about 200° C. for a duration sufficient to achieve the desired cure, typically over several hours, such as at least 10 hours, at least 15 hours, or even at least 20 hours. In general, the cure temperature affects the hardness of the final material, with cures at 120° C. resulting in a softer material and cures between about 150° C. and about 200° C. resulting in a harder material. The curing temperature may depend upon the materials themselves, as some material may discolor at higher cure temperatures. In some embodiments, the thermal processing alone is sufficient.

In some embodiments, the polymerization and cross-linking reaction may be catalyzed by heat, radiation, or a combination of the two. Cross-linking occurs either through a photochemical process utilizing UV radiation and further curing to complete the process is often performed thermally. In some embodiments, the preparation is carried out in two steps to achieve maximum cross-linking. In the two-step photochemical/heating process, the first reaction is photochemical. The reaction mixture is thoroughly degassed to remove oxygen and placed in a seal quartz container. The reaction mixture may then be irradiated broadband (unfiltered) with a 250 Watt high pressure mercury arc lamp for a period of approximately 1 hour per 5 grams of solution. The irradiation duration typically varies proportionally with the amount of materials present. This results in a partially cross-linked pre-polymer gel. In this state, the polymer chains have reached such a length that the material is viscous, but pourable. In some embodiments, the gel is cured by transferring the gel to a mold of desired dimension and then cured in an oven between about 120° C. and about 200° C. for a duration sufficient to achieve the desired cure, typically many hours, such as at least 10 hours, at least 15 hours, or even at least 20 hours. In general, the cure temperature affects the hardness of the final material, with cures at 120° C. resulting in a softer material and cures between about 150° C. and about 200° C. resulting in a harder material. The curing temperature may depend upon the materials themselves, as some material may discolor at higher cure temperatures.

In general, at least about 70% of the functional groups, i.e., alkenyl groups and —XH moieties in the reaction mixture have reacted in the resultant highly cross-linked polymer, preferably at least 80% of the functional groups have reacted, and even more preferably at least 90% of the functional groups have reacted.

Since the polymers of the present invention are highly cross-linked, the polymers of the present invention form a three-dimensional bulk material. In view thereof, the average molecular weight of the polymer is very difficult or may even be impossible to determine Based on current understandings, it is thought that average molecular weights tend to be very high, such as at least 20,000 g/mol, at least 50,000 g/mol, at least 100,000 g/mol, at least 1,000,000 g/mol, or even at least 10,000,000 g/mol.

Preferably, the high refractive index polymers produced by the process of the present invention contain hydrocarbon and second row or greater main group elements, such as Si, Ge, or Sn. These second row or greater main group elements have high polarizabilities, which yield high refractive index. In preferred embodiments, the polymer of the present invention lacks electronegative atoms such as N and O, which are often found in polymethracrylates, polycarbonates and polythiourethanes, and which tend to yield lower refractive index materials. In some embodiments, the materials are highly cross-linked which will yield very hard, fracture, and scratch resistant materials. The polymers of the present invention also can be fabricated without optical chromophores that give rise to absorption in the visible region of the spectrum, such that the materials are therefore transparent.

Having described the invention in detail, it will be apparent that modifications and variations are possible without departing from the scope of the invention defined in the appended claims.

EXAMPLES

The following non-limiting examples are provided to further illustrate the present invention.

Fabrication of polymers according to the present invention was carried out by combining various vinyl monomers (such as tetravinylsilane, 1,3,5-Triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione, tetra-allylsilane, and tetra-allylgermane) and thiol monomers (such as ethane-1,2-dithiol, pentane-1,5-dithiol and benzene-1,3-dithiol). The experimental details for each combination and physical properties of the resulting polymers have been described in the following examples:

Example 1 Preparation of a High Refractive Index Polymer

Fabrication of a polymer according to the present invention was carried out by reacting tetravinylsilane and ethane-1,2-dithiol according to the following reaction sequence:

The reaction mixture was prepared by combining ethane-1,2-dithiol and tetravinylsilane in a molar ratio of 2 moles ethane-1,2-dithiol:1 mole tetravinylsilane. To prepare the reaction mixture, ethane-1,2-dithiol (2.8 grams) was homogeneously mixed with of tetravinylsilane (2.0375 g) in a quartz container. The reaction mixture was thoroughly degassed by passing nitrogen gas, bubble by bubble, through the reaction mixture for about 10 minutes to remove oxygen. The quartz container was then sealed.

The reaction mixture (4.8375 g) was then subjected to photochemical curing by irradiating it with a 250 Watt high pressure mercury-xenon arc lamp for one hour. Irradiation resulted in a partially cross-linked pre-polymer gel. The gel was transferred to a mold of desired dimension and then cured in an oven at 120° C. for a period of 24 hours.

The resulting cross-linked polymer was transparent, colorless, and hard. Measurement of the optical and selected physical properties of the polymer prepared by thiol-ene coupling ethane-1,2-dithiol and tetravinylsilane is given in Table 1.

TABLE 1 Physical Properties of the Polymer Measurement Value Specific Gravity 1.19 g/cc Microhardness 2.91 Refractive Index 1.65 Abbe (vd) 38

The refractive index is in the upper range of values attained by organic polymers, and the Abbe number is relatively low for high refractive index materials.

Example 2 Preparation of a High Refractive Index Polymer

Fabrication of a polymer according to the present invention was carried out by reacting tetravinylsilane and ethane-1,2-dithiol according to the following reaction sequence:

The reaction mixture was prepared by combining ethane-1,2-dithiol and tetravinylsilane in a molar ratio of 2 moles ethane-1,2-dithiol:1 mole of tetravinylsilane. To prepare the reaction mixture, ethane-1,2-dithiol (1.12 g) was homogeneously mixed with of tetravinylsilane (0.815 g) in a quartz container. The reaction mixture was thoroughly degassed by passing nitrogen gas, bubble by bubble, through the reaction mixture for about 10 minutes to remove oxygen and placed in a sealed glass and or Teflon container.

The reaction mixture (1.935 g) was then allowed to gel at room temperature which resulted in a partially cross-linked pre-polymer gel in about two days. The gel was then aged at room temperature for about three days and finally cured in an oven at 120° C. for a period of 24 hours.

The resulting cross-linked polymer was transparent, colorless, and hard. Measurement of the optical and selected physical properties of the polymer prepared by thiol-ene coupling ethane-1,2-dithiol and tetravinylsilane is given in Table 2.

TABLE 2 Physical Properties of the Polymer Measurement Value Specific Gravity 1.19 g/cc Microhardness 2.91 Refractive Index 1.655 Abbe (vd) 38

Example 3 Preparation of a High Refractive Index Polymer

Fabrication of a polymer according to the present invention was carried out by reacting tetravinylsilane and pentane-1,5-dithiol according to the following reaction sequence:

The reaction mixture was prepared by combining pentane-1,5-dithiol and tetravinylsilane in a molar ratio of 2 moles pentane-1,5-dithiol:1 mole tetravinylsilane. To prepare the reaction mixture, pentane-1,5-dithiol (1.625 grams) was homogeneously mixed with of tetravinylsilane (0.815 g) in a glass and or Teflon container. The reaction mixture was thoroughly degassed by passing nitrogen gas, bubble by bubble, through the reaction mixture for about 10 minutes to remove oxygen.

The reaction mixture (2.44 g) was then subjected to gelation at 50° C., which resulted in a partially cross-linked pre-polymer gel in about three days. The gel was then aged at 50° C. for about three days and finally cured in an oven at 120° C. for a period of 24 hours.

The resulting cross-linked polymer was transparent and colorless. Measurement of the optical and selected physical properties of the polymer prepared by thiol-ene coupling pentane-1,5-dithiol and tetravinylsilane is given in Table 3.

TABLE 3 Physical Properties of the Polymer Measurement Value Specific Gravity 1.163 g/cc Refractive Index 1.590 Abbe (vd) 41

Example 4 Preparation of a High Refractive Index Polymer

Fabrication of a polymer according to the present invention was carried out by reacting tetravinylsilane and benzene-1,3-dithiol according to the following reaction sequence:

The reaction mixture was prepared by combining benzene-1,3-dithiol and tetravinylsilane in a molar ratio of 2 moles benzene-1,3-dithiol:1 mole tetravinylsilane. To prepare the reaction mixture, benzene-1,3-dithiol (1.706 g) was homogeneously mixed with of tetravinylsilane (0.815 g) in a glass vial. The reaction mixture was thoroughly degassed by passing nitrogen gas, bubble by bubble, through the reaction mixture for about 10 minutes to remove oxygen.

The reaction mixture (2.52 g) was then subjected to gelation at 50° C. which resulted in a partially cross-linked pre-polymer gel in about three days. The gel was then aged at 50° C. for about three days and finally cured in an oven at 120° C. for a period of 24 hours.

The resulting cross-linked polymer was transparent and yellow. Measurement of the optical and selected physical properties of the polymer prepared by thiol-ene coupling benzene-1,3-dithiol and tetravinylsilane is given in Table 4.

TABLE 4 Physical Properties of the Polymer Measurement Value Specific Gravity 1.43 g/cc Refractive Index 1.687 Abbe (vd) 25.2

Example 5 Preparation of a High Refractive Index Polymer

Fabrication of a polymer according to the present invention was carried out by reacting 1,3,5-Triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione and benzene-1,3-dithiol according to the following reaction sequence:

The reaction mixture was prepared by combining benzene-1,3-dithiol and 1,3,5-Triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione in a molar ratio of 1.5 moles benzene-1,3-dithiol:1 mole 1,3,5-Triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione. To prepare the reaction mixture, benzene-1,3-dithiol (1.984 g) was homogeneously mixed with of 1,3,5-Triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione (2.318 g) in a glass vial. The reaction mixture was thoroughly degassed by passing nitrogen gas, bubble by bubble, through the reaction mixture for about 10 minutes to remove oxygen.

The reaction mixture (4.3020 g) was then subjected for gelation at 50° C. which resulted in a partially cross-linked pre-polymer gel in about four days. The gel was then aged at 50° C. for about three days and finally cured in an oven at 120° C. for a period of 24 hours.

The resulting cross-linked polymer was transparent, colorless, and very hard. Measurement of the optical and selected physical properties of the polymer prepared by thiol-ene coupling benzene-1,3-dithiol and 1,3,5-Triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6(1H,3H,5H)-trione is given in Table 5.

TABLE 5 Physical Properties of the Polymer Measurement Value Specific Gravity 1.53 g/cc Young's Modulus 706 MPa Refractive Index 1.660 Abbe (vd) 28.7

Example 6 Preparation of a High Refractive Index Polymer

Fabrication of a polymer according to the present invention was carried out by reacting tetraallylsilane and ethane-1,2-dithiol was carried out according to the following reaction sequence:

The reaction mixture was prepared by combining ethane-1,2-dithiol and tetraallylsilane in a molar ratio of 2 moles ethane-1,2-dithiol mole of tetraallylsilane. To prepare the reaction mixture, ethane-1,2-dithiol (0.816 g) was homogeneously mixed with tetraallylsilane (0.834 g) in a glass vial. The reaction mixture was thoroughly degassed by passing nitrogen gas, bubble by bubble, through the reaction mixture for about 10 minutes to remove oxygen and placed in a sealed glass and or Teflon container.

The reaction mixture (1.65 g) was then subjected for gelation at room temperature which resulted in a partially cross-linked pre-polymer gel in about two days. The gel was then aged at room temperature for about three days and finally cured in an oven at 120° C. for a period of 24 hours.

The resulting cross-linked polymer was transparent, yellowish, and soft. Measurement of the optical and selected physical properties of the polymer prepared by thiol-ene coupling ethane-1,2-dithiol and tetraallylsilane is given in Table 6.

TABLE 6 Physical Properties of the Polymer Measurement Value Specific Gravity 1.143 g/cc Refractive Index 1.610 Abbe (vd) 36.3

Example 7 Preparation of a High Refractive Index Polymer

Fabrication of a polymer according to the present invention was carried out by reacting tetraallylsilane and pentane-1,5-dithiol was carried out according to the following reaction sequence:

The reaction mixture was prepared by combining pentane-1,5-dithiol and tetraallylsilane in a molar ratio of 2 moles pentane-1,5-dithiol mole of tetraallylsilane. To prepare the reaction mixture, pentane-1,5-dithiol (1.1831 g) was homogeneously mixed with tetraallylsilane (0.834 g) in a glass container. The reaction mixture was thoroughly degassed by passing nitrogen gas, bubble by bubble, through the reaction mixture for about 10 minutes to remove oxygen and placed in a sealed glass and or Teflon container.

The reaction mixture (2.017 g) was then subjected for gelation at room temperature which resulted in a partially cross-linked pre-polymer gel in about two days. The gel was then aged at room temperature for about three days and finally cured in an oven at 120° C. for a period of 24 hours.

The resulting cross-linked polymer was transparent and soft. Measurement of the optical and selected physical properties of the polymer prepared by thiol-ene coupling pentane-1,5-dithiol and tetraallylsilane is given in Table 7.

TABLE 7 Physical Properties of the Polymer Measurement Value Specific Gravity 1.323 g/cc Refractive Index 1.570 Abbe (vd) 41.5

Example 8 Preparation of a High Refractive Index Polymer

Fabrication of a polymer according to the present invention was carried out by reacting tetraallylsilane and 1 benzene-1,3-dithiol was carried out according to the following reaction sequence:

The reaction mixture was prepared by combining benzene-1,3-dithiol and tetraallylsilane in a molar ratio of 2 moles pentanedithiol:1 mole of tetraallylsilane. To prepare the reaction mixture, benzene-1,3-dithiol (1.236 g) was homogeneously mixed with tetraallylsilane (0.834 g) in a glass container. The reaction mixture was thoroughly degassed by passing nitrogen gas, bubble by bubble, through the reaction mixture for about 10 minutes to remove oxygen and placed in a sealed glass and or Teflon container.

The reaction mixture (2.07 g) was then subjected to gelation at room temperature which resulted in a partially cross-linked pre-polymer gel in about two days. The gel was then aged at room temperature for about three days and finally cured in an oven at 120° C. for a period of 24 hours.

The resulting polymer was poorly crosslinked and did not lead to formation of three dimensional bulk material.

Example 9 Preparation of a High Refractive Index Polymer

Fabrication of polymer according to the present invention was carried out by reacting tetraallylgermane and ethane-1,2-dithiol was carried out according to the following reaction sequence:

The reaction mixture was prepared by combining ethane-1,2-dithiol and tetraallylgermane in a molar ratio of 2 moles ethane-1,2-dithiol:1 mole of tetraallylgermane. To prepare the reaction mixture, ethane-1,2-dithiol (0.810 g) was homogeneously mixed with tetraallylgermane (1.015 g) in a glass container. The reaction mixture was thoroughly degassed by passing nitrogen gas, bubble by bubble, through the reaction mixture for about 10 minutes to remove oxygen and placed in a sealed glass and or Teflon container.

The reaction mixture (1.825 g) was then subjected for gelation at room temperature which resulted in a partially cross-linked pre-polymer gel in about two days. The gel was then aged at room temperature for about three days and finally cured in an oven at 120° C. for a period of 24 hours.

The resulting cross-linked polymer was transparent, yellowish, and hard. Measurement of the optical and selected physical properties of the polymer prepared by thiol-ene coupling ethane-1,2-dithiol and tetraallylgermane is given in Table 8.

TABLE 8 Physical Properties of the Polymer Measurement Value Specific Gravity 1.192 g/cc Refractive Index 1.62 Abbe (vd) 39.9

Example 10 Preparation of a High Refractive Index Polymer

Fabrication of polymer according to the present invention was carried out by reacting tetraallylgermane and pentane-1,5-dithiol was carried out according to the following reaction sequence:

The reaction mixture was prepared by combining pentane-1,5-dithiol and tetraallylgermane in a molar ratio of 2 moles pentane-1,5-dithiol:1 mole of tetraallylgermane. To prepare the reaction mixture, pentane-1,5-dithiol (1.168 g) was homogeneously mixed with tetraallylgermane (1.015 g) in a glass container. The reaction mixture was thoroughly degassed by passing nitrogen gas, bubble by bubble, through the reaction mixture for about 10 minutes to remove oxygen and placed in a sealed glass and or Teflon container.

The reaction mixture (2.183 g) was then subjected for gelation at room temperature which resulted in a partially cross-linked pre-polymer gel in about two days. The gel was then aged at room temperature for about three days and finally cured in an oven at 120° C. for a period of 24 hours.

The resulting cross-linked polymer was transparent and soft. Measurement of the optical and selected physical properties of the polymer prepared by thiol-ene coupling pentane-1,5-dithiol and tetraallylgermane is given in Table 9.

TABLE 9 Physical Properties of the Polymer Measurement Value Specific Gravity 1.225 g/cc Refractive Index 1.59 Abbe (vd) 45

Example 11 Preparation of a High Refractive Index Polymer

Fabrication of polymer according to the present invention was carried out by reacting tetraallylgermane and benzene-1,3-dithiol was carried out according to the following reaction sequence:

The reaction mixture was prepared by combining benzene-1,3-dithiol and tetraallylgermane in a molar ratio of 2 moles benzene-1,3-dithiol:1 mole tetraallylgermane. To prepare the reaction mixture, benzene-1,3-dithiol (1.223 g) was homogeneously mixed with of tetraallylgermane (1.015 g) in a glass vial. The reaction mixture was thoroughly degassed by passing nitrogen gas, bubble by bubble, through the reaction mixture for about 10 minutes to remove oxygen.

The reaction mixture (2.238 g) was then subjected for gelation at room temperature which resulted in a partially cross-linked pre-polymer gel in about three days. The gel was then aged at room temperature for another three days and finally cured in an oven at 120° C. for a period of 24 hours.

The resulting cross-linked polymer was transparent and hard. Measurement of the optical and selected physical properties of the polymer prepared by thiol-ene coupling benzene-1,3-dithiol and tetraallylgermane is given in Table 10.

TABLE 10 Physical Properties of the Polymer Measurement Value Specific Gravity 1.216 g/cc Refractive Index 1.69 Abbe (vd) 24.3

Example 12 Fabrication of Polymer/Nanoparticle Composites

Materials

Monomers viz. 1,2-ethanedithiol, 1,5-pentanedithiol, 1,3-benzenedithiol, 1,3,5-Triallyl-1,3,5-triazine-2,4,6-trione, acrylic acid were purchased from Sigma-Aldrich and were used as received. Tetravinylsilane and 1,3,5,7-tetravinyl-1,3,5,6,7-tetramethylcyclotetrasiloxane were ordered from Gelest and were used without further purification. The nanopowders of TiO₂ and ZrO₂ were purchased from US Research Nanomaterials, Inc.

The fabrication of polymer composites involved two major steps:

Surface Modification of TiO₂/ZrO₂ Nanoparticles by Acrylic Acid

In order for nanoparticles to take part in polymerization process and thus get chemically bonded with the host polymer matrix, the surface of these nanoparticles was modified with acrylic acid. The purpose of surface modification was to replace a partial amount of surface hydroxyl groups on the nanoparticles by vinyl groups in the acrylic acid. The reaction was carried out by dispersing 1 g of nanoparticles in an aqueous solution of acrylic acid (1.6 g of acrylic acid in 200 ml of water) and gradually replacing water with methanol in a rotary evaporator. The chemical reaction of acrylic acid on the surface of these particles takes place according to FIG. 1.

In-Situ Incorporation of TiO₂/ZrO₂ Nanoparticles

The surface modified nanopowders were ground using mortar and pestle before use to breakdown the agglomerates into smaller particles. The various steps involved in the fabrication of polymer-nanoparticle composites are depicted in FIG. 2.

In order to separate out the heavier particles and to obtain stable particle dispersion, the nanoparticles were added in excess (0.2 wt %) to the mixture of thiol-ene monomers prepared under stoichiometric conditions (the number of vinyl groups equal thiols). The resulting reaction mixture was turbid as it had bigger particles (>30 nm) to scatter the light. The desired optical transmission was accomplished by centrifuging (3-5 min at 1000 rpm) the reaction mixture until it becomes transparent (>90%). At this point, the top transparent portion of the monomer mixture, containing extremely small size nanoparticles (<10 nm), was transferred to the desired container and was allowed to polymerize at room temperature. Final curing of these pre-polymer gels at 120° C. in a furnace yielded highly transparent and rigid polymer composites.

Table 11 summarizes optical, mechanical and thermal properties of various polymer composites obtained by incorporation of TiO₂ and ZrO₂ nanoparticles.

TABLE 11 Refractive Storage Modulus Tg (° C.) Polymer Composite Index (MPa) [DMA] TVG-BDTH-TiO₂ 1.730 (1.692) 25 (627) * * * (56)  TVG-BDTH-ZrO₂ 1.725 (1.692) 600 (627)  45 (56) TTT-BDTH-TiO₂ 1.667 (1.660) 8000 (551)  71 (66) TTT-BDTH-ZrO₂ * * * * * * * * * TVS-BDTH-TiO₂ 1.720 (1.687) 1550 (668)  52.54 (69)   TVS-BDTH-ZrO₂ 1.716 (1.687) 4400 (668)  42 (69) TVS-EDTH-TiO₂ 1.669 (1.656) 50 (108) 40 (42) TVS-EDTH-ZrO₂ 1.668 (1.656) 20 (108) 30 (42) TeSO-BDTH-TiO₂ 1.667 (1.660) 16 (520) 25 (38) TeSO-BDTH-ZrO₂ * * * * * * * * *

Although the titanium oxide and zirconium oxide nanoparticles used in the examples described above were derivatized with acrylic acid, it should be understood that derivatization can be conducted by reaction with any monomer that comprises both a vinyl group and a functional group that is reactive with hydroxyl ions or oxide moieties of the nanoparticle substrate. Also, the nanoparticle may consist of or comprise metal oxides other than titania or zirconia. Other nanoparticle materials may include oxides of hafnium, niobium, molybdenum, tantalum, tungsten, tellurium, and in fact essentially any transition metal. To prepared the composite that comprise a thiol-ene polymer matrix and nanoparticles dispersed within the matrix, a charge mixture is formed comprising a first multifunctional monomer comprising vinyl groups, a second multifunctional polymer comprising thiol moieties, and nanoparticles dispersed in the monomer phase. Optionally, the mixture is centrifuged to substantially remove relatively larger particles from the dispersion. For example, it may be desirable to substantially remove particles having size of more than 100 nm, or more than 50 nm, or more than 30 nm.

The first multifunctional monomer is reacted with the second multifunctional monomer in the monomer/nanoparticle dispersion to form a polymer matrix within which the nanoparticles are dispersed. Preferably the metal oxide is covalently bonded to the matrix polymer, e.g., by reaction of metal oxides or metal hydroxide at the particle surface, or more preferably by reaction of a ligand comprising a vinyl group with which the nanoparticle is derivatized, with functional groups of the first multifunctional monomer, functional groups of the second multifunctional monomer, or functional groups of a polymer produced by reaction of the first monomer and the second monomer. To form the matrix, any of the dithiol monomers described above can be reacted with a multifunctional monomer that preferably comprises a silane, germane, or organotin compound having 2 to 4 ethylenically unsaturated ligands such as, e.g., vinyl or allyl (vinylmethyl). (Meth)acrylic ligands or other ligand structure which comprises a vinyl group are reactive with, and react with, the dithiol monomer, polythiol monomer, or corresponding monomer comprising phosphinyl, selenol, or arsininyl groups. A vinyl ligand on the nanoparticle may also react with a vinyl group of another multifunctional monomer that has a plurality of vinyl groups, although that reaction is not favored in the absence of a free radical catalyst.

The reaction proceeds by formation of a prepolymer gel, and curing of the prepolymer gel to form the composite product. Formation of the prepolymer gel is self-initiated in that it proceeds in the absence of any initiating additive, i.e., the charge mixture and the reacting mixture do not contain any photoinitiator, free radical catalyst or initiating additive. Self-initiated polymerization, as that term is used here, does not exclude exposing the polymerizing mixture to heat or light, including ultraviolet light, but it does exclude the use of a photoinitiator or other similar additive. Curing is typically effected by heating the mixture comprising the prepolymer gel. Preferably, photoinitiators and free radical catalysts are excluded from the curing stage as well.

Fabrication of Polymer/Oxo-Zirconium Cluster Composites Example 13

Oxozirconium methacrylate clusters type A: Zr₆(O—H)₄O₄(Methacrylate)₁₂ and type B: Zr₄O₂(Methacrylate)₁₂ were obtained by reaction of Zr(OnPr)₄ with an excess of methacrylic acid. In a typical example, 3.1 mmol of Zr(OnPr)₄ was reacted with 11.8 mmol of methacrylic acid under Ar atmosphere free from moisture. Type A crystals precipitated out in about five of days and were transferred in a separate vial. In an another example, 3.1 mmol of Zr(OnPr)₄ was reacted with 48 momol of methacrylic acid under Ar atmosphere to yield type B crystals which were precipitated out in couple of days.

Example 14

In addition to the type A and type B crystals, two more types of oxozirconium crystals (type C: Zr₆(O—H)₄O₄(acrylate)₁₂ and type D: Zr₄O₂(acrylate)₁₂) were synthesized by reacting Zr(OnPr)₄ with excess acrylic acid under Ar atmosphere. The molar ratios of Zr(OnPr)₄ to acrylic acid were the same as given in Example 13.

Example 15

The crystals were washed with excess non-polar solvent such as hexane to remove any unreacted Zr(OnPr)₄. The polymer composites were fabricated by dissolving 1 wt % of type A, type B, type C and type D crystals in thiol-ene monomer mixture obtained by combining tetravinylsilane and benzenedithiol in a stoichiometric molar ratio (i.e. 1:2). The monomer mixtures were then allowed to form pre-polymer gels and were finally cured in an oven at 120° C. to yield rigid polymer composites. The refractive indices of these polymer composites were 1.720, 1.715, 1.716 and 1.714 for type A, type B, type C and type D, respectively.

Preparation of a transparent polymeric material from a first multifunctional monomer, a dithiol (or polythiol, or corresponding monomers comprising phosphinyl, selenol or arsinyl groups, and a molecular metal oxide cluster is particularly advantageous because the molecular metal oxide cluster is soluble in a mixture comprising the other monomers, and can be uniformly distributed throughout the charge mixture without risk of sedimentation, and enables the preparation of single phase hard, transparent optical material.

In preparing a polymer composition or polymer matrix incorporating a molecular metal oxide cluster, n moles of a first multifunctional monomer having a plurality of, e.g., 2 to 4 vinyl groups is reacted with m moles of the molecular metal oxide cluster, and a dithiol, other polythiol, or other corresponding monomer comprising phosphinyl, selenol or arsinyl groups, in a proportion sufficient to react with the vinyl groups of the first multifunctional monomer and the molecular metal oxide cluster. For example, a bulk copolymer capable of use as a homogeneous, single phase optical material or as a matrix for nanoparticulates of a composite material can be prepared by the reaction:

nSi(CH═CH₂)₄ +mZr₆(OH)₄O₄(O₂CH═CH₂)₁₂+(2n+6m)HSCH₂CH₂SH→

The first multifunctional monomer, in this case Si(CH═CH₂)₄, is preferably in substantial excess over the molecular metal oxide cluster, i.e., n>>m. For example n may have a value between 10 m and 1000 m, more preferably between about 50 m and about 200 m. In terms of equivalents, these ratios are typically lower because of the high number of vinyl groups in the molecular metal oxide cluster. In the equation above, a molar m/n ratio of 10 reduces to an equivalents ratio of 3.3, a molar ratio of 50 reduces to a equivalents ratio of 17 a molar ratio of 200 reduces to an equivalents ratio of 67, and a molar ratio of 1000 reduces to an equivalents ratio of 333.

Exemplary metal oxide clusters that may participate in a polymerization reaction with a first multifunctional monomer having a plurality of vinyl groups, and a dithiol, polythiol, poly(phosphonyl), poly(selenol), or poly(arsinyl) monomer, include Zr₆(OH)₄O₄(O₂CH—CH₂)₁₂, Zr₄O₂(O₂CH—CH₂)₁₂: Zr₆(OH)₄O₄(O₂C(CH3)═CH₂)₁₂ and Zr₄O₂(O₂C(CH₃)═CH₂)₁₂. Comparable molecular metal oxide clusters can be based on oxides of other transition metals such as Ti, Hf, Ni, W, Mo, Te and Ta. Compositions of such structures may be identical to the Zr oxide structures with adjustments in the number of (meth)acrylic ligands that may result from differences in the oxidation state of the transition metal.

Where a Zr oxide cluster is reacted with m-dimercaptobenzene and a first multifunctional monomer such as an “M” moiety ligands that comprise 2, 3 or 4 vinyl groups, e.g., a dimethyl divinyl silane or dimethyl divinyl germane, polymer product includes repeating units having the structure

where M is sulfur, silicon, tin, or an organic moiety. If the first multifunctional compound is a trivinyl alkyl or tetravinyl silane or germane, the polymeric structure that includes derivatized metal oxide will proliferate via a more complex network formed by cross-linking at the unsaturated substituents on “M”. Comparable structures can be prepared from molecular clusters of other metal oxides such as oxides of Ti, Hf, Nb, Mo, W, Te, Ta, or other transition metals.

Polymerization of a first multifunctional compound, a dithiol, pollythiol or corresponding monomer comprising phosphinyl, selenol or arsinyl groups, and a molecular metal oxide cluster forms a transparent material that has a high degree of clarity and hardness, and a high refractive index. Such material can be used as a matrix for nanoparticulate metal oxides, including metal oxides that have been derivatized with ligands that include vinyl groups that can react with the thiol, vinyl groups of the first monofunctional polymer or vinyl groups of the molecular metal oxide. Alternatively, the first multifunctional monomer, dithiol or polythiol, and molecular metal oxide may be polymerized from a charge mixture that is substantially or entirely free of particulates to yield a product that consists of a single phase homogeneous structure, not a matrix comprising dispersed particles of any nature. This polymerization product is highly transparent, has a high index of refraction, exhibits high hardness, has a high Abbe number, and is therefore useful for various optical applications. For example, lenses constituted of such material have high Abbe numbers, e.g., at least 38, are wear-resistant, and are highly useful in transforming and focusing light waves. Prisms of such material are highly effective for separating light of different wave lengths.

In view of the above, it will be seen that the several objects of the invention are achieved and other advantageous results attained. As various changes could be made in the above compositions and processes without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained in the above description and shown in the accompanying drawings shall be interpreted as illustrative and not in a limiting sense. When introducing elements of the present invention or the preferred embodiments(s) thereof, the articles “a”, “an”, “the” and “said” are intended to mean that there are one or more of the elements. The terms “comprising”, “including” and “having” are intended to be inclusive and mean that there may be additional elements other than the listed elements. 

1. A bulk polymer composite comprising a thiol-ene polymer and metal oxide nanoparticles and having a high degree of cross-linking and containing polarizable elements. 2.-4. (canceled)
 5. The bulk polymer composite of claim 1 wherein the oxide nanoparticles are selected from the group consisting of titania, zirconia, hafnia, niobium oxide, molybdenum oxide, tungsten oxide, and tantalum oxide.
 6. The bulk polymer composite as set forth in claim 1 wherein the nanoparticles are ≦100 nm in size as incorporated into a monomer formulation from which the polymer is prepared.
 7. (canceled)
 8. The bulk polymer composite as set forth in claim 1 wherein said nanoparticles have been functionalized by reaction with a monomer that comprises a vinyl group and a functional group reactive with said metal oxide.
 9. The bulk polymer composite as set forth in claim 8 comprising nanoparticles that have been functionalized with acrylic acid or methacrylic acid to generate vinyl groups that have been cross-linked into the thiol-ene polymer to form a uniform, hard, transparent material.
 10. A bulk polymer composite comprising a thiol-ene polymer matrix, or a matrix comprising a corresponding polymer derived from a phosphinyl, selenol, or arsinyl monomer, and metal oxide nanoparticles dispersed within said matrix, said nanoparticles being bonded to polymer molecules contained in the matrix.
 11. A bulk polymer composite as set forth in claim 10 wherein said nanoparticles comprise acrylic or methacrylic acid ligands through which the nanoparticles are bonded to thiol-ene polymer molecules of said matrix.
 12. (canceled)
 13. The bulk polymer composite of claim 10 wherein said thiol-ene polymer corresponds to the structure:

wherein: M is a main group element, a transition metal element, or an organic moiety; X is a main group element selected from the group consisting of S, P, Se, As and combinations thereof; R₁ is, independently of any other R₁ in the polymer, a direct bond between M and the ethylene group depicted between M and X or a hydrocarbyl linking moiety having between 1 and about 9 carbon atoms; R₂ is a hydrocarbyl moiety having between 1 and about 9 carbon atoms; R₃ is an organic linking group; Y has a value of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; Z has a value of 0, 1, 2, 3, or 4; YY has a value of 0, 1 or 2; and Y, YY, and Z are such that the total number of moieties bonded to M is 3, 4, 5, or 6; and n represents the number of repeat units in the polymer, and wherein at least 90% of functional groups in the bulk polymer are reacted.
 14. The bulk polymer composite of claim 10 wherein said thiol-ene polymer corresponds to the structure:

R⁴¹, R⁴², R⁵¹, R⁵²=hydrocarbylene R²=hydrocarbyl R³¹, R³²=hydrocarbylene X=a main group element selected from the group consisting of S, P, Se, As and combinations thereof M=a main group element, a transition metal element, or an organic moiety k, m, p, q=0 or 1 k+m=1 or 2 p+q=1 or 2 k+m+p+q=y n=the number of repeating units in the polymer.
 15. The bulk polymer composite of claim 14 wherein M is a main group element or the transition metal element, the main group element or the transition metal element being capable of achieving a coordination number of 3, 4, 5, or
 6. 16. The composite of claim 15 wherein M is a main group element, the main group element being selected from the group consisting of Si, Ge, or Sn.
 17. The composite of claim 14 wherein M is a transition metal element, the transition metal element being selected from the group consisting of Mn, Zr, Ti, and Cr.
 18. The composite of claim 14 wherein M is an organic moiety, the organic moiety having any of the following ring structures

wherein the substituents bonded to M are bonded at the N₁, N₂, and/or N₃ sites, and each N₁, N₂, and N₃ is independently selected from the group consisting of N, O, S, Se, Sb, P, Ge, Sn, Te, Ga, In, Ni, Co, Ti, Zr, and W.
 19. The composite of claim 14 wherein the organic moiety has any of the following structures:


20. The bulk polymer composite as set forth in claim 10 wherein said thiol-ene polymer corresponds to the structure (IVa):

wherein C₂-C₅ is a hydrocarbyl having from two to five carbon atoms.
 21. The bulk polymer composite as set forth in claim 10 wherein the polymer has the structure:

wherein Aryl is an aryl group having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms.
 22. The composite of claim 10 wherein the polymer has the structure (IVe):

wherein C₂-C₅ is a hydrocarbyl having from two to five carbon atoms.
 23. The composite of claim 10 wherein the polymer has the structure (IVg):

wherein Aryl is an aryl group having from 6 to 14 carbon atoms.
 24. The composite as set forth in claim 23 wherein said polymer comprises repeat units derived from a first multifunctional monomer comprising a plurality of vinyl groups, a polythiol, and a molecular metal oxide cluster.
 25. A composite as set forth in claim 24 wherein said metal oxide cluster is selected from the group consisting of Zr₆(OH)₄O₄(O₂CH═CH₂)₁₂, Zr₄O₂(O₂CH═CH₂)₁₂:Zr₆(OH)₄O₄(O₂C(CH3)=CH₂)₁₂ and Zr₄O₂(O₂C(CH₃)═CH₂)₁₂.
 26. A composite as set forth in claim 25 prepared by reaction of n moles of said first multifunctional monomer, m moles of said molecular metal cluster and a polythiol or corresponding monomer comprising a phosphinyl, selenol, or arsinyl substituent, in a proportion sufficient to react with the vinyl groups of said unsaturated monomer and said metal oxide cluster.
 27. (canceled)
 28. A composite as set forth in claim 27 wherein the value of n is between 10 m and 1000 m.
 29. (canceled)
 30. The composite as set forth in claim 24 wherein said polymer comprises repeating units corresponding to the structure

where M is sulfur, silicon, tin, or an organic moiety.
 31. A process for the preparation of a bulk polymer composite comprising a thiol-ene polymer matrix or a matrix comprising a corresponding polymer derived from a phosphinyl, selenol, or arsinyl monomer, and nanoparticles dispersed within said matrix, the method comprising: forming a mixture comprising a first multifunctional monomer comprising vinyl groups, a second multifunctional polymer comprising thiol moeities or moieties comprising phosphinyl, selenol or arsinyl groups, and nanoparticles comprising a metal oxide or a metal oxide that has been functionalized with a ligand that is reactive with a functional group of said first multifunctional monomer or said second multifunctional monomer; reacting said first multifunctional monomer with said second multifunctional monomer to form a polymer matrix within which said nanoparticles are dispersed, the metal oxide or ligand on said nanoparticles reacting with functional groups of said first multifunctional monomer, functional groups of said second multifunctional monomer, or functional groups of a polymer produced by reaction of said first monomer and said second monomer. 32.-62. (canceled) 